Last night's presidential debate highlighted a reality that many are reluctant to face: Joe Biden, the oldest candidate in the race, is no longer fit to serve as president.

His disastrous performance, marked by confusion and incoherence, revealed cognitive decline that has been evident for years, but this is not just the story of an aging politician but also of a media establishment that has failed to hold the administration to account. (Related article: Brian Live: Trump's decisive debate victory makes one thing clear)

We saw it happen just a few weeks ago, when video footage of former President Obama escorting a seemingly lost President Biden offstage during an event went viral, sparking a rush to denial. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre led media allies in calling such videos “cheap fake videos, maliciously produced. Some news organizations have made it clear that the president's right-wing critics have credibility issues because fact-checkers have repeatedly caught them spreading misinformation and disinformation.”

Her answers were shockingly dishonest. The video was unedited and very real. But the mainstream media did not fight back. Instead, they followed Jean-Pierre's orders and suppressed another fact that showed Biden's decline.

The mainstream media has long acted as Biden's shield, fabricating stories to protect him from scrutiny. Whether it was a viral video, speech or cycling gaffe that showed Biden's confusion and reliance on others for support, the media has always stood in the way of the truth.

In reality, these videos accurately depict men struggling with their abilities. The complicity of the media has not only gone beyond simply ignoring these signs, but has sought to downplay and ignore evidence that contradicts their narrative.

The media's failures haven't just been limited to reporting on Biden's health: they have also been complicit in hiding the true impact of the Biden administration's policies.

The messy withdrawal from Afghanistan, which put American lives at risk and emboldened our enemies, was a direct result of Biden's decisions, yet the media largely ignored these failures. Minimize Instead, it is the responsibility of the government.

Economically, the situation is equally dire. Biden administration policies have led to soaring inflation and economic instability that are hurting ordinary Americans. Instead of critically examining these policies, the media has tried to sweep these dire outcomes under the rug, trying to portray them as minor setbacks or positive developments.

The media's real goal is to help those who promote far-left policies stay in power by interpreting those policies in a way that is right for them. They want candidates who can put a positive spin on their failures and tell the American people that everything is fine while the country faces economic hardship and international humiliation.

They try to put lipstick on a pig, but a pig remains a pig.

Democrats are now in a state of panic: They know Biden's cognitive problems are too serious to ignore, but they have no viable alternative. (RELATED: Federal Election Commissioner Trey Trainor: 'Choosing Joe Biden's replacement won't be easy')

Kamala Harris, who was selected primarily on the basis of diversity, equity and inclusion, has proven unelectable and lacks the broad support needed to unite voters. The party's policies, supported by all candidates, have consistently failed to address the real needs of the American people.

The days of media excuses and cover-ups are over. What we saw last night wasn't just the collapse of Joe Biden.

This was the collapse of the house of cards the media had worked so hard to build over the past four years. Biden was unfit for the office of the president. Most of the media either knew it or simply ignored it. Either way, the country has suffered a great loss because of it.

The American people need competent, honest leadership and a media that will hold those in power accountable. Democrats and their media allies must face the reality of Biden's condition and the failure of their policies.

If they continue to conceal the truth, they risk further eroding the trust and confidence of the American people and leading to further disillusionment and division at home.

Ashley Hayek is executive director of America First Works, former director of the Trump 2020 campaign coalition, and author of Beat the Elites.

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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